‘Extended Family’ Recap: ‘Pilot’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

EXTENDED FAMILY -- “Pilot” Episode -- Pictured: (l-r) Donald Faison as Trey, Abigail Spencer as Julia, Jon Cryer as Jim -- (Photo by: Chris Haston/NBC)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the Series Premiere of ‘Extended Family’.
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It is definitely safe to say that divorce carries quite the negative connotation in modern society, and understandably so. After all, it is seen as a failure of sorts, where two people who vowed to work through tough times as partners didn’t get the job done and walked away instead of fighting harder. Not to mention, it is easy to view divorce in a negative light when we hear horror story after horror story about why a divorce came into play and our view of it is so sour… that even popular media reinforces such thoughts. Since we’ve been treated to story after story that explores not only the ugliness of dissolving a marriage, but the nasty road ahead that follows signing on the dotted line. But while there is some merit to the negative nature of divorce, as is often the case in life, we do tend to view this concept through the wrong lens. 

Because divorce, isn’t always a bad thing. After all, if the relationship has taken a toxic turn and someone needs to leave it for their safety in any capacity, divorce is in fact… a positive and healthy move to make. Not to mention, sometimes people do fall out of love with one another and grow apart and trying to stick it out and fix what no longer exists, is a waste of time and silly. Not to mention, not all divorces end with crazy exes and disaster and worry. Sometimes the split is amicable, and people go their separate ways, or they find ways to peacefully co-exist and co-parent when children are involved, and well… these are elements that need to be discussed more. So that we have a better understanding of divorce and what it is really all about, and how it isn’t always some horrific thing that deserves to be a movie of the week. Thankfully… there are creative minds out there trying to change that perception, as evidenced by the new NBC series, Extended Family.

For this particular show, created by Mike O’Malley, showcases a different side of divorce through the lens of Jim and Julia. Who ended their marriage after seventeen years when they realized they just weren’t compatible anymore. But since they have kids, they work to co-parent by taking turns raising their kids in the family home one week at a time and they’re also working to learn how to process changes that lie ahead that will have an impact on each of their lives. Since Julia is ready to marry the owner of the Boston Celtics, Trey. Which is a setup that the pilot heavily focuses on, with a plot regarding the death of a family goldfish thrown in for good measure so this couple can begin to really learn how to parent without being there all of the time. But what matters more about this particular ‘Pilot’ episode, is what it does for the concept of divorce. Because it truly presents it in a bold new light, one that we don’t see in television and storytelling all that often.

Because there is no toxicity between Jim and Julia. They understand their relationship wasn’t for them, and that an amicable split was needed. But also, that their children need them in their lives, and that giving them strong parental figures is important and that… is so refreshing to see in television. Because it means there are no sour and denigrating jokes about exes here, instead the laughs from this comedy come from the realities of navigating a new life, of still running into the chaos that parents run into. Giving rise to an earnest and lovely comedy about a corner of life that is very real, that some people are going through right now. But most important of all, it finally presents divorce as an act between two adults that doesn’t have to be toxic and angry and every negative concept in between, and that alone makes this comedy revolutionary and progressive in nature, and its wonder doesn’t end there.

For this is also that rare comedy that presents life in the raw and it offers no easy answers on its core concepts because there are no easy answers on such matters. For our negative view of divorce prompts us to put what comes next after dissolution, out of sight and out of mind. But it is nice to see a show be this honest, this real about a matter that is indeed full of ups and downs and potential for growth, and of course… explore it in a fun manner. Because the jokes work here, and the comedy really does keep what is important subject matter from never overwhelming the viewer, and well… all of these elements, and the show’s amazing cast, which includes Jon Cryer (Jim), Abigail Spencer (Julia), and Donald Faison (Trey), make this a must watch. Because this show really is something special, something new and something quite progressive, and it will be interesting to see what other unique aspects of divorce this series is going to explore as season one of this dynamic show continues along. Until next time.

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